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an.3.56 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Depopulation

Then a certain affluent brahmin approached the Blessed One … and said to him:

“Master Gotama, I have heard older brahmins who are aged, burdened with years, teachers of teachers, saying: ‘In the past this world was so thickly populated one would think there was no space between people. The villages, towns, and capital cities were so close that cocks could fly between them.’ Why is it, Master Gotama, that at present the number of people has declined, depopulation is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have vanished?”

(1) “At present, brahmin, people are excited by illicit lust, overcome by unrighteous greed, afflicted by wrong Dhamma. As a result, they take up weapons and slay one another. Hence many people die. This is a reason why at present the number of people has declined, depopulation is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have vanished.

(2) “Again, at present people are excited by illicit lust, overcome by unrighteous greed, afflicted by wrong Dhamma. When this happens, sufficient rain does not fall. As a result, there is a famine, a scarcity of grain; the crops become blighted and turn to straw. Hence many people die. This is another reason why at present the number of people has declined, depopulation is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have vanished.

(3) “Again, at present people are excited by illicit lust, overcome by unrighteous greed, afflicted by wrong Dhamma. When this happens, the yakkhas release wild spirits. Hence many people die. This is yet another reason why at present the number of people has declined, depopulation is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have vanished.”

“Excellent, Master Gotama! … Let Master Gotama consider me a lay follower who from today has gone for refuge for life.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

Falling Apart

Then a well-to-do Brahmin went up to the Buddha, and seated to one side he said to him:
“Master Gotama, I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the teachers of teachers, said:
‘In the old days this world was as crowded as hell, just full of people. The villages, towns and capital cities were no more than a chicken’s flight apart.’
What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled, a decline in population is evident, and whole villages, towns, cities, and countries have disappeared?”
“These days, brahmin, humans just love illicit desire. They’re overcome by immoral greed, and mired in wrong thoughts.
Taking up sharp knives, they murder each other. And so many people perish.
This is the cause, this is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled.
Furthermore, because these days humans just love illicit desire …
the heavens don’t provide enough rain,
so there’s famine, a bad harvest, with blighted crops that turn to straw.
And so many people perish.
This is the cause, this is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled.
Furthermore, because these days humans just love illicit desire …
native spirits let vicious monsters loose. And so many people perish.
This is the cause, this is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled.”
“Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! …
From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”